By DisabilityNewsGH
The consequence of family support on the well-being of persons with disabilities cannot be overemphasized.
Disability experts and victims of disability continue to advocate for families to take interest in the well-being and development of their relatives with disabilities. The latest to reiterate that call via DisabilityNewsGh.com and its affiliate disability advocacy platform, Adonai Studios, is a Clinical Psychologist at the Korl-Bu Teaching Hospital, Madam Elizabeth O. Ampofo.
Madam Elizabeth Ampofo asserts that even though medication plays a key role in the treatment of mental health conditions, there are also other factors that facilitate quick recovery, and they include psychosocial factors.
“When it comes to recovery from mental illness, medication plays a role, however, there are other factors that influence recovery; among them are psychological and social factors”, she says.
She explains that having the knowledge that their families and friends genuinely love and care about them and, are willing to support them, quickens their recovery process; while on the other hand, they could be taking their medication very well, but if they are shunned and made to feel that they are burdens to their families, could affect them psychologically and emotionally. That, she adds, negatively impacts the rate of their recovery.
The Clinical Psychologist emphasizes that a combined therapy of medication, psychotherapy, eating well, exercising the body, and support of family and friends is always the best for fast recovery from mental health conditions.
Madam Elizabeth Ampofo was speaking in an interview with DisabilityNewsGH.com and Adonai Studios, during the filming of a documentary on bipolar disorder.
While some people with disabilities have been able to defy the odds and have reached their potentials and are contributing to society due to strong family support, the lack of same has resulted in many others with disabilities ending up on the streets, begging.
In a separate interview with Charted Accountant with albinism, Mr. Daniel Ashley, he notes that there is no way persons with disabilities can live fulfilling lives without strong family support.
He recounts how his parents and sibling, as well as the extended family, had to make many sacrifices and adaptions to ensure that he survived the challenges he faced as a person with albinism and also to realize his dreams.
According to him, the family is the core society persons with disabilities find themselves in before the outside world, and when they are rejected by their families, then they feel that the whole world has rejected them, and vice versa.
Mr. Ashley also asserts that if families provide the needed support to their relatives with disabilities, the negativities of society or the challenges outside will have very little influence on them.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH